By Fr. Adolf Washington –
Have you asked “Why does a ‘Good God’ allow suffering?” It could be at the abandonment of loved ones, financial loss, unemployment or fear of failure and the future, health problems or fear of impending death.
A man had a vision that he was crossing a dangerously hanging bridge over a gushing river. While he crossed half way, the bridge threatened to collapse. He saw God at the other end of the bridge. He cried “Lord save me”. But the Lord remained where he was and saying “Walk towards me”. He replied “Lord, I need a helping hand and you are just remaining there”. God repeated “Keep walking towards me.” When he reached the end of the bridge, he found The Lord holding the edges of the bridge with his hands. The Lord hugged him and let the bridge collapse.
Focus on the problem-solver not the problem. This requires a deafening of our ears to the sounds of threat and fear and hearkening to the gentle voice of God.Only in solitude we realize that God is bigger than our storms and can say “Oh big storm, I have a big God”. The weak in Faith will always cry “Oh God I have a big storm”.
The Lord is with us in our joys and sorrows. Jesus shared joy at the wedding feast at Cana but wept at the death of Lazarus. (John 11:35).
The Psalmist in deep Faith could sing “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in who I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. In my distress I called to the Lord. I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears” (Psalm 18:2-6).
Job, in the scriptures went through financial losses, sickness and disease, abandoned by friends and his own wife urging him to curse God. With unflinching Faith he said “Even if the Lord slays me, I will trust in Him” (Job 13:5). His fortunes and health was restored manifold.
Along the bridge of life’s experiences is God who holds it till you cross-over. It does not matter what the future holds for us so long as we know who holds the future.